The interesting part of this is here's A California teenager who spent
three days adrift on the turbulent Indian Ocean who described her ordeal as "crazy".

Mind you now this was only 3 days. The sea is unforgiving and while her
age may not be a factor her mind set and her emotional state regarding
dealing with the ocean could have been tested in ways that her limited
life experience may not have be prepared for. This may be the biggest
error made by those advising her.

People who spend time at sea will tell you that each persons experience
is different and it may not be the best place to learn about yourself
if your not prepared for what can and will happen.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

You think they ask for permission? It's a new world out there.

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You dodged the question. The question was whether you would let them do something that some people would consider dangerous. You answered that they would calculate the cost, not be able to afford it, or the idea would pass, and so they wouldn't do it anyway. Saved you from making the call. But let's say they wanted to do it, and found a way. Would you support them, or would you exercise your parental authority to stop them? I suspect I know the answer, since your thread title is "What were they thinking?", but it is always worth asking to make sure.

This example ended badly for the boat, not so badly for the young lady. Check the link I gave you on Katie Miller and her ocean racing. Would you have let her sail solo around England and Scotland in a 21' boat? Race solo across the Atlantic in a 30' boat? She has sponsors, and worked hard raising money, so she has the financial means to do it.

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I bet.

__________________
Profeshenal spellar

what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.. so move on.. not your kid, your opinion really doesn't matter Barry..

My kid or not my opinion matters just as much as your does.
If not now it will matter later on just as it has in the past with others
who have taken the time to listen....

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

Actually I did answer the question. But for you let me put it
another way.

If a 16 year old does not realize the dangers that they will face
as a result of their choices then it's my job as a parent to
exercise good judgement in their behalf until they reach the
age that they can make their own decisions.

With every decision one has to count the cost. I already know
the cost of doing something that some people would consider
dangerous. Therefore in this case my job as a parent is to get
my children to reason and consider what the risks are.

We as parents then expect our young ones to make a decision that
underscores their respect and concern for parents and
other family members who would bear the trauma from a bad decision they would make.

In this case none of my kids would consider solo sailing as a
wise decision. They understand the effect it would have on
other family members and would choose not to put the family
thru any undue stress.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

I'm with you on this, although I don't have kids and no authority on the subject. I wouldn't let my 16 year old girl go out at night alone past 11 pm regardless of the neighborhood. The parents are out of their minds. Clearly they think the daughter can fend off bad people in boats who approach her on her own. Stupid.

OK, fair enough, you have veto power over your kid's decisions. Now, how old do they have to be to make their own decisions? 17? 18? 19? 21? 37?

__________________
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